Jagannath Temple’s Treasure Vault Opened After 46 Years: Key Fails, Locks Cut
Jagannath Temple’s Treasure Vault Opened After 46 Years: Key Fails, Locks Cutnner and outer vaults of the Shrimandir have been opened. The keys to the outer vault’s three locks were kept by the vault’s custodian, the temple administration, and the Gajapati Maharaja. However, the district treasury keys could not open the three inner vault locks. As a result, the ODRF team cut the three locks, allowing the committee to enter the inner vault.
Inspection Under Surveillance
Officials carried out all activities in front of the magistrate and under video surveillance. Due to time constraints, the transfer of the ornaments from the inner vault could not begin. Following Niladri Bije, they will schedule the transfer of the inner vault’s ornaments. After assessing the vault’s condition and making any necessary repairs, the ornaments will be returned to their original location. Aravind Padhi, Chief Administrator of the Shrimandir, stated this. When the team opened the inner and outer vaults, they discovered a lot of dust. They removed the dust and stored it in one corner of the vault.
Meeting and Entry
The treasure vault inspection committee held a crucial meeting in the morning. After discussing the vault’s opening, the selected members entered for an inspection. Before this, they performed Prabhu Loknath’s Ajnamala Bije and rituals. The vault-opening process began at 1:28 PM in front of the 12-member committee. They dealt with any unpleasant situations using the bomb squad, metal detectors, ODRF team, snake helpline, and RAF support. The inspection and transfer process ended around 5 p.m.
Proper Procedures Followed
The Chief Administrator stated that the treasure vault opening guidelines were carried out yesterday. According to the SOP, the 11-member committee inspected the outer vault first, followed by the 12-member committee that inspected the inner vault. With Mahaprabhu’s blessings, they opened the three outer vault locks and relocated all ornaments to a temporary strongroom. Afterward, they sealed the outer vault in front of all members. They thoroughly recorded everything. Padhi stated that authorized individuals had entered the inner vault. They discovered three locks inside. The district collector offered keys from the district treasury to open them, but none worked. They followed instructions and broke the locks to enter the inner vault. They did this in the magistrate’s presence.
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Later, committee members discovered almirahs and trunks inside. Due to the late hour, they were unable to transfer all ornaments. The guidelines clearly stated that transferring all ornaments may be impossible. The ornament transfer in the inner vault was unable to take place because they required a full temporary strong room for the transfer. Padhi clarified that they did not see the ornaments after entering.
Upcoming Rituals
Today is Bahuda Yatra. Suna Besha and Niladri Bije follow next. It is impossible to open the treasure vault for counting and inspection at this time. As a result, the government, management committee, and inspection committee agreed to schedule the transfer of the inner vault’s ornaments after Niladri Bije. The government approved using Khata Sej House as a temporary treasure vault and strong room. They’ll move all the almirahs, trunks, and ornaments from the inner vault to the temporary vault. Following the transfer, ASI will complete the necessary repairs. Once the repairs are finished, they will return everything to the inner vault. The ornaments will be counted and inspected inside the inner vault. Padhi did not comment on whether the locks were jammed or open. They videotaped everything. ASI will not work until the ornaments from the inner vault have been transferred to the temporary vault.
Statements from the Committee Chair
The inspection committee chair, Justice Biswanath Rath, stated that they followed the established procedure for opening the outer vault. They transferred and sealed the outer vault’s ornaments before entering the inner vault. The district treasury keys could not open the locks. To gain access, they cut the locks. They conducted a preliminary survey inside the inner vault. A more thorough examination was not possible due to time constraints. They resealed the inner vault with new locks and returned the keys to the Puri District Treasury.
